As the year winds down, you may find yourself making resolutions for 2026, and while it’s always good to have goals, it’s important to make time for fun and joy along the way! There’s plenty to look forward to in the coming year, and here are some of the best things that will be happening during January, so you can start 2026 off on the right foot.
Kick the year off with music
Kick off the summer and your 2026 dancing on your feet with Southwave: Summer Electronic Series, a program of free events from January 2 to February 21 that’ll bring some of the most internationally renowned electronic artists to Brisbane, not to mention some of our brightest local talent, including Maribou State and Rose Gray.
📍Rainforest Green, The Arbour, South Brisbane
Or see a big arena show
Beloved alt-folk band The Lumineers will light up the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on January 13, and that’s only the beginning! This year is shaping up to be a stellar one for Brissy’s music scene.
📍BEC, 1 Melaleuca Dr, Boondall
Journey to Middle-Earth
Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences and Candlelight are bringing the magic of Tolkien’s genre-defining saga to life with Candlelight: The Lord of the Rings — a classical music concert. Starting January 29, go on a 60-minute journey with a string quartet performing iconic scores from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
Surrounded by thousands of candles, you will get revisit epic themes as the franchise nears its 25th anniversary! You can join the waitlist now for this stunning tribute to the legendary film trilogy’s powerful soundtrack.
Ace the summer at Brisbane International
With some of the world’s top players competing for the title, the Brisbane International is not to be missed from January 4 to January 11! Attendees will have the privilege of watching athletes as thrilling as world champion Aryna Sabalenka, top 4 in the world Amanda Anisimova, and others play at their best.
📍Queensland Tennis Centre, 190 King Arthur Terrace, Tennyson
Watch love bloom at this campy classic
The little show that could, going from Off-Broadway to a cult Broadway hit and even gracing the big screen, sci-fi smash musical Little Shop of Horrors will be back — bigger, bolder, and hungrier than ever! — from January 3 at QPAC’s Cremorne Theatre.
📍Cremorne Theatre, QPAC, Melbourne St, South Brisbane
Avoid the hard-knock life and go see Annie
The beloved tale of Annie is coming to QPAC until January 31 to charm Brisbanite audiences with its timeless tale of optimism and belonging. A celebration of hope, family and friendship, this small but mighty young girl has returned to stick out her chin and grin once more, and you’ll want to be seated for it!
Get your tickets here.
📍Lyric Theatre, QPAC, Melbourne St, South Brisbane
Or find out whodunnit at Cluedo
Have a killer time and put your detective skills to the test when this beloved murder mystery board game comes to life onstage at QPAC! Inspired by the popular board game, and based on the cult classic 1985 film, Clue, this chaotic show is doing an Australian tour that will be to die for. Catch it red-handed from January 7.
📍Playhouse, QPAC, Melbourne St, South Brisbane
Rebel at The Art of Banksy “Without Limits” Chapter Two
This new Banksy exhibition made its world premiere in Brisbane, and is continuing into 2026. Another iconic showing of the insightful street artist, this unprecedented collection brings over 300 pieces — three times as many as in previous editions! — of which 100 are original pieces. Not just that, but visitors can truly experience the world of Banksy through immersive installations, digital mapping shows, sculptures and even holograms.
📍Level Q, Uptown, 91 Queen St, Brisbane CBD
The Art of Banksy “Without Limits” Chapter Two – Celebrating 10 years of Defiance - 4.67 · 872 reviews
Elevate your wellness schedule with $29 bathhouse sessions
If you’re looking for ways to elevate your wellness schedule in 2026 — without breaking the bank — look no further than Vikasati. This Red Hill wellness club is home to both a well-stocked gym as well as a relaxing bathhouse aptly named The Sanctuary.
The Sanctuary is decked out with both hot and cold magnesium plunge pools, a Finnish sauna, outdoor showers and ice baths (if you’re up for the chilly challenge). Each 90-minute session includes free use of the bathhouse facilities, which is a perfect amount of time to de-stress or recover from your gym training.
The weekly membership is just $29 per week and allows you to visit the bathhouse for a session once a week. It also gives you the option to hop in the infrared sauna for only $35.
📍15 Pinter Dr, Southport
Uncork the summer at Twilight in the Vines
Family-owned winery situated at picturesque Mount Cotton, Sirromet is once again hosting magical twilit nights in their vineyard. Let yourself get swept away by the enchanting surroundings and glowing lights as you’re brought a gourmet tray filled with locally sourced charcuterie paired with a Sirromet bottle of wine for you and your +1 to enjoy. Secure your spot here.
📍850-938 Mount Cotton Rd, Mount Cotton
Get chills at this glowing ballet
The already elegant art of ballet gets elevated at Ballet of Lights, which reimagines much-loved fairy tales such as Sleeping Beauty and Cinderella through luminous dance and storytelling. Each performance blends classical ballet’s poise with the visual poetry of light, as every costume glows gently with fibre-optic threads that bring movement to life. With just five or six dancers, this one-hour production distils the grandeur of the world’s most enduring ballets into a captivating experience!
Get your tickets for these brilliant shows here!
Skipper you and your mates down the Brisbane River on these BYO electric boats
GoBoat have become the easiest way for you and your friends to enjoy time on the water. The boats—constructed from fibreglass, which uses recycled PET bottles instead of virgin glass—are powered by an electric motor and have a top speed of seven kilometres per hour.
This means that you don’t need a license to skipper them and anyone over the age of eighteen can be captain for a day.
📍194 Breakfast Creek Rd, Newstead
Take a dip in these Brisbane swimming pools for just $2
If you’re looking for somewhere to go swimming this summer, but don’t want to leave Brisbane or go to Streets Beach, then look no further, because Brisbane City Council has once again launched $2 summer dips at their public pools around the city.
Until February 28, entry prices will be slashed across Brisbane’s public swimming pools, from $6.40 per person to just $2.
READ MORE: These Brisbane Swimming Pools Are Dropping Their Entry Fees To $2 For Summer
Swing your way through this installation
Swingers – The Art of Mini Golf arrives at the Brisbane Powerhouse and it’s a hole new kind of interactive exhibition! You’ll get to play your way through nine adventurous mini golf holes, each designed by leading female artists, and explore the game’s subversion history and the untold obstacles along its path: it was invented in the 19th century by Scottish women as a response to being banned from the real deal.
You can take a swing from January 10, and book your spot here!
📍Brisbane Powerhouse, Yuggera and Turrbal Country, 119 Lamington St, New Farm
Witness one of nature’s miracles
January is the start of turtle hatching season, and you won’t want to miss these tiny creatures’ race for survival! Queensland has plenty of incredible spots from which to safely observe this, and it’ll definitely be worth the trip.
Take a dip at one of these magical swimming holes near Brisbane
Summer among us, and so is the humidity that comes with it. Just outside of the city, you’ll find some of the best swimming holes in Australia. These natural freshwater pools are filled up and ready for you to take a dip, and the hike to get to some of them will make them feel twice as refreshing!
SEE MORE: The best swimming holes near Brisbane
Meet adorable rescue deer at this sanctuary in Samford
Tucked away in a serene hideaway just thirty minutes north of Brisbane, Lyell Deer Sanctuary is the perfect spot to get up close and personal with adorable rescue deer of all sorts, from red and rusa to fallow deer.
The sanctuary, usually open to the public on weekends, is a family-run animal rescue service, home to not only deer but also goats, cows, chickens, guinea pigs, peacocks and more.
📍6 Lyell Ct, Mount Samson
Rent your own private swimming pool
No pool? No worries. Just borrow one from a stranger for a few hours. There’s a genius new way to beat the heat and it won’t burn a hole in your pocket. There’s an Airbnb-style concept in the market called Swimply but exclusively for pools and it’s giving everyone a chance to get in on the fun. Pool owners can rent out their pools and those who want to splash around in a pool for a day can rent one for surprisingly low costs.
Escape to a small town
Whether you’re looking for beachy vibes or something with country charm, there are plenty of smaller towns near Brisbane to explore! Need inspo? Check out these offbeat small towns!